MORGANTOWN – Several people from Maine, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are suing two Monongalia County men over injuries they allegedly sustained during a boat collision.
Reid Douglas Bailey, Rachel Anne Coyle, Carly Nicole Della Salla, Michael James Gaudino and Tyler Thomas Geyer filed a lawsuit Dec. 29 in Monongalia Circuit Court against Brandon Solomon and Steven B. Solomon, alleging permissive use, negligent entrustment, negligent/careless/reckless conduct and prima facie negligence.
According to the suit, Steven Solomon owns a residence on or around Cheat Lake in Monongalia County, and he permits his son, Brandon Solomon, to use the residence.
On May 25, Brandon Solomon invited several people, including the plaintiffs, to the Cheat Lake residence. While there, Brandon Solomon allegedly was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the suit claims, and he continued to ingest alcohol and/or drugs while operating a 2005 Malibu Wakesetter owned by Steven B. Solomon and/or Brandon Solomon.
The plaintiffs were passengers on the Malibu Wakesetter, which Brandon Solomon allegedly operated at excessive speeds while intoxicated, the complaint states.
The suit states Brandon Solomon then negligently and recklessly fell from behind the boat's controls, lost control of the Malibu, and crashed it into an embankment. As a result, the plaintiffs allegedly suffered severe bodily injuries.
The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, interests, attorney fees and costs of the suit. They are represented by attorneys Stephen B. Farmer and Eric M. Hayhurst of Farmer Cline & Campbell in Morgantown.
Monongalia Circuit Court Case number 15-C-822